There is a chance it will be even cheaper of free after a recall forced by NHTSA. Tesla is using standard marketing technique, pricing it at $2,500 for those who want it first, then $1,500 for those who didn't want to pay $2,500 but don't want to wait for the lower cost or free upgrade. Lucky for Tesla they didn't sell that as many of the MCU1's as they are selling MCU2's. They took risks, like not doing a proper design with proper FMEA which would have told them that an infotainment screen responsible for safety functions is a ticking recall waiting to happen, and they are now paying for it. In retrospect it was probably well worth it for Tesla and even just for Elon - Tesla stock made him way enough money to cover a $1,000 expense for the first 150,000 cars ($150M), though by now a whole bunch of people paid for it out of pocket and more will pay as it gets cheaper. All Tesla has to do is delay the recall as long as possible, and lower the price gradually, to help offset the final cost. What you paid $2,500 for is the privilege to have it earlier.